ARE OVERHEAD IN NORTH FORSYTH COUNTY. TALITHA: WE ARE LEARNING MUCH MORE INFORMATION ABOUT A DEADLY FALL AT THE NORTH CAROLINA ZOO. KENNY: AND ARBORIST FELL THIS MORNING, FALLING 30 FEET DURING A ROUTINE DRILL. WHAT DID THEY SAY WAS HAPPENING WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED? STEVE: THE DIRECTOR OF THE ZOO SAYS THAT THE DRILL THAT WAS TAKING PLACE CONSISTED OF AND ARBORIST PRACTICING HELPING RESCUE ANOTHER ARBORIST FROM A TREE WHEN ONE OF THEM FELL UP TO 30 FEET AND DIED. THE ZOO IS NOT RELEASING THE NAME OF THE EMPLOYEE WHO DIED OUT OF RESPECT FOR THE FAMILY’S WISHES FOR PRIVACY DURING THIS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TIME. THIS ALL HAPPENED BEFORE THE ZOO OPENED UP IN THE AFRICA REGION OF THE PARK. WE’RE TOLD THE DRILL IS HELD TWICE A YEAR. LEADERSHIP IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED AND WHY THE ARBORIST FELL. PEOPLE WERE IN LINE AND THE LEADERS DECIDED TO OPEN A PART OF THE ZOO AND CLOSE EARLY. WE ARE HEARING FROM BOTH THE ZOO LEADERS AND PARK VISITORS ABOUT THIS TRAGIC DEATH. >> EVERYONE AT THE ZOO WISHES TO EXPRESS OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AND THAT WE TRULY ARE DEVASTATED BY THE LOSS. >> IT IS VERY UPSETTING. HOPEFULLY THE STAFF OVERCOMES IT. >> THE ZOO WILL BE OPEN TO NORMAL HOURS TOMORROW. EMPLOYEES MIGHT NEED SOME AND TO TALK TO DURING THIS TIME. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME ANYBODY HAS DIED AT THE ZOO SINCE THE ZOO OP

A North Carolina Zoo employee was killed Thursday morning after falling during a drill that is held twice a year. An arborist was engaged with an aerial rescue drill and fell 20 to 30 feet, according to zoo officials. Authorities in Randolph County EMS said they received a 911 call from the zoo, located in Asheboro, regarding a person who had fallen from a tree at about 8:20 a.m.The employee, who has not been been publicly identified, died at the scene. Zoo leaders said they are currently in the process of reaching out to the person's family members.The North Carolina Department of Labor said the Occupational Safety and Health Division is investigating the incident, which happened in the Africa exhibit. Right now the exact details of what led to the person falling are unknown. Zoo leaders say they are working closely with investigators to determine details of the incident.Officials said the employee's death is not related to any of the zoo’s animals. "The entire zoo community is deeply saddened by this loss, and our thoughts and sympathies are with the family of our team member," Officials with the zoo said in a statement given to WXII 12 News."We are devastated,"said Debbie Fuchs, the Public Relations Officer with the North Carolina Zoo. "We hope that the community will send thoughts and prayers and everyone at the zoo is a professional. They care deeply about this place and the animals and we will continue to take care of the animals and each other."The zoo closed the Africa section of the park to the public on Thursday and closed the entire park at 2 p.m., three hours earlier than normal. Guests were given half-price admission to the zoo on Thursday and received vouchers for free entry to the zoo on a later date as they exited the park on Thursday. Zoo leaders said they decided to open parts of the zoo on Thursday because many people were already in line to get inside and the incident happened away from any public walkways.The park is expected to reopen Friday.Park staff are being provided grief counselors if they need it. With 500 developed acres, the North Carolina Zoo is the world's largest natural habitat zoo and one of two state-supported zoos in the United States.Thursday's death is the first death in the history of the zoo, which opened in 1974.This is a developing story. Stay with WXII 12 News for more details.

ASHEBORO, N.C. —

A North Carolina Zoo employee was killed Thursday morning after falling during a drill that is held twice a year.

An arborist was engaged with an aerial rescue drill and fell 20 to 30 feet, according to zoo officials.

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Authorities in Randolph County EMS said they received a 911 call from the zoo, located in Asheboro, regarding a person who had fallen from a tree at about 8:20 a.m.

The employee, who has not been been publicly identified, died at the scene. Zoo leaders said they are currently in the process of reaching out to the person's family members.

The North Carolina Department of Labor said the Occupational Safety and Health Division is investigating the incident, which happened in the Africa exhibit.

Right now the exact details of what led to the person falling are unknown. Zoo leaders say they are working closely with investigators to determine details of the incident.

Officials said the employee's death is not related to any of the zoo’s animals.

"The entire zoo community is deeply saddened by this loss, and our thoughts and sympathies are with the family of our team member," Officials with the zoo said in a statement given to WXII 12 News.

"We are devastated,"said Debbie Fuchs, the Public Relations Officer with the North Carolina Zoo. "We hope that the community will send thoughts and prayers and everyone at the zoo is a professional. They care deeply about this place and the animals and we will continue to take care of the animals and each other."

The zoo closed the Africa section of the park to the public on Thursday and closed the entire park at 2 p.m., three hours earlier than normal.

Guests were given half-price admission to the zoo on Thursday and received vouchers for free entry to the zoo on a later date as they exited the park on Thursday.

Zoo leaders said they decided to open parts of the zoo on Thursday because many people were already in line to get inside and the incident happened away from any public walkways.

The park is expected to reopen Friday.

Park staff are being provided grief counselors if they need it.

With 500 developed acres, the North Carolina Zoo is the world's largest natural habitat zoo and one of two state-supported zoos in the United States.

Thursday's death is the first death in the history of the zoo, which opened in 1974.